| Rajgir -Bihar |
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| The city of Rajgir known as Rajagriha was the first capital of
the kingdom of Magadha, the Mauryan Empire. Date of origin of the city Rajgir is
unknown as ceramics dating to about 1000 BC are excavated in the city. Vaibhara,
Ratna, Saila, Sona, Udaya, Chhatha, and Vipula are the hills that surround the
city of Rajgir. |
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| The great epic Mahabharata also mentioned the city as Girivraja
where the story of its king, Jarasandha, and his battle with the Pandava
brothers and their allies Krishna took place. Even in the Buddhist and Jain
scriptures Rajgir city was mentioned. The historical Buddha and Mahavira are
associated with the place. Due to its warm water ponds, Rajgir has also
developed as a health and winter resort. Many skin diseases are cured by these
baths containing some medicinal properties. The Ropeway that leads uphill to the
Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees of the Buddha on top
of the Ratnagiri hills are the added attraction of Rajgir. |
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| 'House of the king' Rajgir, was the ancient capital city of the
Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatashatru moved the capital to
Pataliputra. Krishna defeated for 17 times Jarasandha who hailed from this place
and for 18th time Krishna left the battlefield without fighting. It was here
that Gautam Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Griddhkuta,
('Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and
converted King Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to his religion. |
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| The First Buddhist Council was held
under the leadership of Maha Kassapa on one of the hills is the cave of
Saptparni. The Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties and are
sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains present in the cave of Saptparni. |
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| These are some of the Buddhist sites present in Rajgir |
| Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak) |
| The temple Vishwa Shanti Stupa stands on the summit of the
Griddhakuta hill. By fifteen minute round trip the massive modern stupa can be
reached by a chairlift. The hillock offers wonderful views of the surrounding
places. Associated with Lord Buddha and Budhism for ages this place is visited
by many devotees and tourists. During the rainy season LORD BUDDHA spent many
months of retreat here meditating and preaching on GRIDDHKUTA, the Hill of
vultures. Gridhakuta Hills is about 10km from the railway station. Beat time to
visit the place is October to March. |
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| Venuvana |
| The site of a monastery Venuvana, built by King Bimbisara, was
the king’s first offering for Lord Buddha is located near Rajgir. It was given
to Buddha so that he and his monks could take rest here, and give discourses to
people. |
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| Jivakarama |
| Jivaka, the greatest physician of Buddha's time, was from
Rajgir. He donated a monastery to Buddha, called the Jivakarama. |
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| Tapodarama |
| On the site of the hot springs, the Tapodarama Monastery was
located at present a Hindu temple Lakshmi Narayan Mandir is constructed. Hot
springs used to be the site of the Tapodarama, a Buddhist monastery at the time
of Gautama Buddha. |
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| Saptaparni Cave |
| The First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of
Maha Kassapa in the caves of Saptparni. Also Buddha sometimes stayed there, and
it was used as an accommodation for visiting monks. |
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| Lakshmi Narayan Mandir |
| Jarasandha Ka Akhara, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, the Karnada Tank
where Lord Buddha used to bathe, the Maniyar Math that dates from the 1st
century CE, the Maraka Kukshi where the still unborn Ajatashatru was cursed as a
patricide, the Rannbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat
battles, Swarnabhandar Cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, Ruins of an Old Fort and 40 km
long and 12 ft (3.7 m) wide 2500 year old cyclopean walls are some of the
attractive sites in Rajgir. |
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